Chapter XIV

In which the Knights receive their orders...

Hana and Fado were visiting Impa, who had been placed in a special alcove near the Zora's throne room to rest. Fado had stated that she could help the Sheikah heal more quickly, as she had knowledge of medicines that the Zoras didn't, and Hana was there just to make sure the Kokiri didn't get distracted and accidentally kill the older woman.

"Well," Impa said as she watched Fado grind down the bones of a freshly caught fish. She was laying on a small cot, her head propped up on a pile of pillows and wrapped with clean bandages. "I'd heard the legends of the Knights, but I never thought I'd see the day when they were brought back. No, that's not quite right. I'd hoped that I wouldn't see the day."

Fado dumped the fish bones into a pot, that was beginning to smell more and more like a soup than any medicine Hana had ever seen. "Hope is a strange thing," Fado said thoughtfully. "It's like a prayer, but not."

Hana hid her smile when Impa's expression grew confused. "I suppose," the Sheikah said finally. "I also hear you got the Gorons on our side. Good work."

"It actually wasn't that hard," Hana said, sitting down on a chair that faced Impa's bed. "They seem quite eager to, how does Hot Rodder put it? Pummel things into the ground, was his words, I think."

Impa snorted. "Sounds like them."

"We lost Kokiri Vilage though. It was attacked almost right after you two left."

Impa glanced over at Fado, who didn't seem to be listening as she added a random assortment of mushrooms. "The forest village isn't exactly a tactical advantage for us. The monsters won't dare venture into the deeper parts of the woods, so we still have access to the secret passages there. We haven't lost much there." Impa glared suddenly at Hana. "And don't you dare even think of trying to take it back now. Keeping up a curse that powerful on the forest temple will keep Ganondorf distracted, and that's what we need right now."

"Fine fine," Hana said bitterly. "But someday we will go through there and free the Kokiri."

Fado shrugged as she threw in an ingredient that Hana didn't recognize. "They'll be fine. The indoor air is good for them."

"Wait, what did you just put in there?" Hana asked, peering into the boiling pot of liquid. It was a strange, dark green color, and there were several lumps of... something... that Hana couldn't make out but were floating along the surface all the same.

"All done!" Fado said, and she pulled the pot from the stove.

Impa cast the potion a worried look. "I'm not so sure about this anymore."

"It's fine, silly! It'll make you feel better right away!" Fado held out the potion with a large smile.

Impa glanced at Hana, who shrugged, before grabbing the bottle and drinking down the potion with her eyes screwed shut. Her eyes reopened with surprise. "Hey, that does work! What was in that stuff? You know what, I don't want to know. Thanks."

Fado nodded just as Ruto poked her head into the room. "There you are, Hylian!" the Zora princess said to Hana. "My father and Zelda want to talk to you right away!"

"About what?"

"About the the Knights' role in this mess, of course! Now hurry, before they change their mind and have the meeting without you."

"Fine, I'm coming, but I'm bringing everyone with me. If this is about the Knights, then all of us should be there."

Ruto sighed impatiently. "I really don't think my father will like that."

Impa nodded in agreement. "The Zoras are very hierarchical; only the leaders are allowed into meetings."

"Ah, but," Fado began happily. "Hana is, but isn't, the leader!"

Impa blinked as she tried to process this. "Wait, what?"

"Oh just come on, already!" Ruto said. "I'll convince my father to let everyone in, just find them and hurry up!" She went running out then, her webbed feet slapping loudly against the floor as she went.

Hana had no trouble finding the others in her group. Hot Rodder, Tak, and Grog were all gathered together and arguing over who was the tallest. It was a ridiculous argument in Hana's opinion, as the Goron was clearly towering over everyone as the other two tried to stand on tiptoe next to him. With a little convincing, she managed to get them to drop the matter for the time being and ushered them all towards the throne room.

Ruto was sitting next to the king, looking rather proud of herself; she had obviously managed to convince him to let more than just Hana in. Zelda was there as well, still disguised as a Sheikah and standing on the podium where one was supposed to stand when addressing King Zora. The king himself was sitting with an annoyed expression on his face, one which he quickly tried to cover up when Hana and the others entered.

"Good, we're all here," King Zora said as they stood next to Zelda. "Now we can begin. I am under the impression that these Knights of Hyrule here are going to be opposing Ganondorf openly? So that we have more room to maneuver while Ganondorf is distracted by them?"

Tak couldn't hold back, and he quickly answered before Hana could. "You betcha! ...Sir."

"Hmm," both the king and Ruto said uncertainly as they looked at him.

"In that case," the king finally continued, and the others in the room gave silent sighs of relief. "We will include you in the plans that Princess Zelda and I have been putting together."

Zelda stood straighter, if that were at all possible. "We believe that our only chance to stop Ganondorf is to find the other sages."

Hana looked at her. "Other?"

"I am one of them, the seventh. I know for a fact that Impa is another; I grew up with her always at my side and recognized her powers as that of a sage even as a child. That leaves us with five to locate and protect until we can enact the rest of my plan."

"Excuse me, but what are these sages supposed to do in the rest of your plan?" Hana asked.

"We will join our powers, and seal Ganondorf in a prison that can withstand the most potent and commanding powers... even time itself."

"That..." Tak began. "That sounds really awesome!"

"And quite helpful," Fado added. "I'm in favor of the idea of a prison instead of killing him."

Hot Rodder shrugged. "I would prefer to pummel him into the ground, but I guess this idea will work, too."

"I agree," Hana said. "Grog?"

The oldest Hylian in the group shrugged. "It's something to do."

King Zora blinked at them. "What is this? Democracy? It takes a very long time to come to a decision that way, doesn't it? Well, at any rate, we are all in agreement... finally. The Knights of Hyrule shall travel to the desert!"

"Why the desert?" Hana asked.

Zelda answered her. "Before the castle was attacked, it used to hold a book that described a secret, hidden library deep in the desert. It is said that this library holds the knowledge of the sages. While I do not believe that it is meant to be taken literally, I feel that this library will show us the way to the other sages."

"The desert," Hana said with a frown. "That will be tricky to get to."

Fado bounced from foot to foot. "There's no paths in the forest that lead there."

Zelda nodded. "Which means you'll have to cross Hyrule Field."

Tak gaped at her. "Are you kidding? Forget it! We'll never make it! We can't even step outside the Zora's Domain without running into wolfos and Moblins!"

"All the same, that is what we must do," Zelda said, meeting his gaze.

Ruto stood suddenly, bringing everyone's attention onto her. "I'm going to go, too!"

"No!" Zelda nearly shouted. She recovered herself as the other princess began to pout. "You must remain here, if Ganondorf sees a Zora with us he will send his retribution straight to this domain. We must all be cautious about who is and is not seen out there."

"Ahha!" Ruto suddenly shouted before smiling smugly. "You've got a Goron, and aren't they supposed to be trying to stay hidden for now, too? So how come he gets to go and I don't?"

"Because," Zelda replied. "Gorons, at heart, are a nomadic race. It's not unheard of for a stray Goron to wander around on his own."

Hot Rodder nodded his head. "That's true, goro! Ganondorf won't think much of a lone Goron."

"Alright then, let's get ready!" Hana said, turning to leave.

"Hold on a minute!" Zelda said quickly. "You can't go now."

"We can't? Why not?"

Zelda wrung her hands together nervously and then forced herself to look Hana in the eye. "Because... because what Tak said is true. There are far too many of Ganondorf's troops out there right now. You'll never even get across the bridge, never mind into the desert - Ganondorf's home lands. We will need patience for this. His troops are more aggressive because he thinks I am nearby. If I disappear for a while, he will call them back to his castle and wait again."

"Aw, man," Grog groaned. "How long do we wait?"

Tak heaved a sigh. "Until it's safe enough to risk this mission."

"Patience," Zelda said softly. "This will give you all more time to train, at any rate."

King Zora kicked his feet through the air as he listened. "You'll need armor. What sort of army will you be without armor?"

"We could try Kakariko Village, maybe someone knows how to make armor," Tak suggested.

King Zora laughed; at least, they assumed it was a laugh. It sounded more like a high pitched cough. "Hylians can't make armor worth a rupee!" He glanced over at Zelda. "No offense." The girl simply crossed her arms over her chest and stared icily at him. "Now Zora armor, that's the stuff! Tight links, bounce arrows back like they're made of rubber! Lightweight, too; even the little one over there could wear it no problem."

Fado tilted her head. "Does it come in green?"

King Zora's smile dropped. "No."

"Oh. Well, that's alright, I suppose. It would be interesting to see me in a different color, don't you think?" Her fairy bobbed through the air, but didn't give any other sign that she agreed.

Hana thanked the king for the offer, and then her group, along with Zelda, trooped out of the throne room.

"Well, I think that went well!" Tak said cheerfully.

"Indeed," Zelda said with a small smile. "Listen, all of you. Ruto is also a sage, but she must not know. I did not even tell Impa of her destiny when I learned of it."

"Why not?" Hot Rodder asked.

"It is not yet time to awaken the sages. If we awaken them too early Ganondorf will be able to sense them. We will merely be their caretakers until it is."

"Well when is the right time then?" Hana asked.

"I am not certain."

Fado giggled. "Time is a silly thing. It never makes sense until after it has passed us by."

"I... yes." Zelda looked confused, however she seemed to have decided to just agree with whatever came out of the Kokiri's mouth. "Now it is time for Impa and me to leave. We will remain hidden so you can find the sages." She gazed at each of the Knights in turn. "Goddesses be with you all."

"You, too," Hana replied.

Zelda left, and a few minutes after, Hana and the others found themselves seated in a private room for dinner.

"What a day!" Tak breathed out as he leaned back in his chair.

Hana swirled the water around in her glass before looking up. "Here's to many more like it."

The five Knights brought their glasses together with a clink and then settled in to their food. No more words were spoken between them that night.

Thanks for reading! Next chapter starts the main plot thingy of this here story; hooray!